RM to Auction 1903 Model A

[denis4x4]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...-auction-block

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

The paperwork on this car is likely worth $50k alone when you think of the bragging rights a collector would have telling it is one of the first three.

There are actually quite a few Model-As still surviving, and I know where there are two unrestored examples now that $100k would buy the pair. Spend another $100k on each one doing a professional frame-up and an investor could actually make money restoring these two Model-As.

[Roadster62]

Looks like a fine example, I don't think it will sell for more that the last overpaid sale. I remember when a friend bought his, an old restoration, at the Atlantic City auction for $7,700, still have the newspaper feature somewere. Bob

[peters180a/170b]

100K on each on the restoration Is that not a little to high You can restore a FULL SIZE Model "A' 1928/31 for that price....

[700rpm]

We saw this one on a recent tour.

[WTSHNN]

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The Hemmings blog posted this the other day with some really nice pictures showing some good details.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2...ck/?refer=news

The 1903's are very cool cars, an interesting peek into the dawn of a (now) 110 year mega company.

If you have an interest in the early Ford cars, check out Carl Pate's Early Ford Automobile Encyclopedia which covers Ford vehicles from 1903 and the Model A up through the earliest 1909 Model T's. http://www.dunlavy.us/carlpate/index.htm

-Tim

[Roadster62]

Tim, Thank you for that link, nice to know the details of the cars history. Time will tell, but I still think the last owner over paid and it will sell for less.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by peters180a/170b

100K on each on the restoration Is that not a little to high You can restore a FULL SIZE Model "A' 1928/31 for that price....

OK, could you have your 180A professionally restored completely for $100k?

When restoring early cars, my experiences are that it generally isn't as easy as making a few phone calls and finding a NOS part like we do in the 28-31 Model-A. In the world of early stuff, you get to research, reverse engineer, cast it and then machine it. This takes a lot of time. Time = $$. Still, ...with that said, buy for $50k, spend another $100k, and sell for $250k. Is your "FULL SIZE" 1928/31 Model-A that good of return on investment??

[Roadster62]

Brent, I think 100k is what people put into "Show Car" restorations of Mustangs and Cameros. I'd feel much better having a 1903 Model A, if I had that money to spend. Bob

[peters180a/170b]

In my experience [ non - professional] it all depends on the shape of the car you start with..."IF" there was money to be made restoring cars then ALL restoration shops would be buying ,restoring and selling..Working on my cars is MY TIME and i enjoy it very much. I can not put a price on my time but if and when i sell one of my cars i'll make more money on my time then if i was working for someone else at this point. The main cost on my restoration was Upholstery. I did spend some bucks on n.o.s. rear fenders , top irons , and other small parts but that was my choice to save time then bringing around the parts that came with the car. And YES to your question i did come under $100,000.00 in the restoration but not counting my time because i use it to settle down my nerves from everyday bullshit.Some people smoke or drink or whatever ..i work on cars and at the end of the day i have something to show for it. I happened to work with a friend in the body shop business for 40 years on cars and yes he is a professional who also loves old cars. He restored one of if not the finest 1932 Ford Cabriolet around and Helped in my Roadster ,sport coupe, Vicky, tudor and D. phaeton .

[montanafordman]

I just saw this one in Montana at the Deere Lodge state prison museum complex. Formerly the Towe Ford Museum.

[peters180a/170b]

someone that has one from Conn. said there are a little over 1000 left